Improved eeyersible latch



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RODOLPHUS L. WEBB, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT. Letters Patent No.72,946, dated Decemter 1867.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, RODOLPIIUS L. WEBB, of New Britain, county'ofHartford, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new'aud usefulImprovements in Reversible Locks and Latches; and I do hereby declarethat the same is described and representediin the followingspecifications and drawings; and to enable others skilled in the art tomake and use. I will proceed to describe by referring to the drawings,in which the same letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

This'invention relates to that class of locks and latches constructed soas to be changed to suit either right or left-hand doors.

Figure 1 shows a lock with its cap removed. i

Figure 2 shows a side view of the latch-bolt and its case removed fromthe case in which it works.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 4 is the, cap which closes the case of the lock or latch.

- E is the latch-bolt; F is the tumber; H is the yoke; I is a s iralspring, which moves or reacts the latch forward after it has been drawnback by turning the spindle or tumbler F; J is the "latch-spindle, theend of which passes through the yoke, andis headed so as to allow it(the latch) to turn freely therein. In figs. 2 and 3, D is anindependent case, in which the latch-boltE and its operative mechanismare set and properly adjusted,

substantiallj the same as when placed in the main case. The independentcase D is made shorter than the width of the main case, and, when inplace, sets back against thetmain case, or a stop provided therefor.

When the lock or latch is placed in or upon the door, and the spindleinserted through'the. tumbler F, the.

independent case is securely held in its place, so that the latch-boltcannot be withdrawn or reversed. Before placing the latch-bolt upon thedoor, or before the spindle is inserted, I reverse the latch-bolt, ifdesirable, by taking hold of the latch-bolt with the thumb and finger,draw the bolt and its case forward, far enough to turn the bolt, andpress it back again into the main case, insert the spindle, and it isall right again for use. These cases D may be made of wrought or castiron, as desirable.

I believe I have thus shown the nature, construction, and operation, soas to enable others skilled to-"make the same therefrom.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--The combination of a lock and latch, when the latch-bolt and itsoperative mechanism, are arranged in a case or frame independent of themain case, and constructed so that the latch-bolt may be removed,substantially as described, without removing the said independentcasefrom the main case.

RODOLPHUS L. WEBB. [L.' s.

Witnesses:

W. Buss, JEREMY W. Buss.

